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MapmyIndia launches GPS mobile phone navigation solution

Indiantelevision.com Team

(13 May 2008 5:30 pm)

BANGALORE: Delhi-based digital map data and consumer navigation services company CEInfosystems’s (CEI) MapmyIndia launched ‘iNav’, its GPS navigation solutions for mobile phones in India.

“iNav offers comprehensive maps and high quality navigation software for the growing number of GPS phones being sold in India. Currently the phones either come with loaded with basic maps or no maps at all. Additionally, the price points at which iNav is being introduced throws open a brand new market with GPS navigation solutions now being accessible to one and all mobile users,” said CEI director Rohit Verma.

“Our vision is to make maps and navigation systems recognized as an integral part of the nation’s basic infrastructure,” added Verma.

The iNav solution includes seamless all India coverage of 280,000 points of interest across 52 categories such as ATMs’ restaurants, petrol pumps, police stations, etc. iNav will help navigate 55,000 towns and villages and landmarks in 150 cities along state and national highways. In 18 major cities, detailed street, by-lane locality, sub-locality and comprehensive points of interest are covered. By the end of this fiscal, detailed information about 100 cities would be made available, according to Verma. CEI has detailed data on 1000 cities in the country and will roll out the same across its services over time.

The company has offered flexible options for making this service available to customers. This includes a single purchase of either all India or state data, a monthly subscription model for all India maps. The company is also exploring the possibilities of offering iNav at lower price points or for free by subsidizing the service through the advertiser revenue model.

The iNav software can be procured on a disc from mobile stores and is available at major chains. The prices are: All India maps Rs 249 with one month validity; six months validity. Rs 1190; State maps, lifetime validity Rs 1190; All India maps, lifetime validity, Rs 4490.

CEI is also in talks with service providers for offering iNav as VAS. iNav is already available on Airtel ‘s Blackberry service for free for the first six months. Verma envisages that software such as iNav could be embedded in the cell phone itself.